Freestanding, decorative, rolled paper storage container and mold for making the same

ABSTRACT

A freestanding, decorative, rolled paper storage container and mold for making, wherein the container comprises a hollow body comprising a peripheral wall, weighted base portion, open top end, and removable cover. An aperture, in the peripheral wall, allows at least a part of each paper roll stored within to be seen and easily grasped. The container, made in a variety of sizes and shapes, adapts to fit from two to more than five toilet paper rolls, more than one paper towel roll, or other bathroom accessories, such as folded paper or cloth towelettes. The container can be made from ceramic, plastic, metal, or wood and can match any new or existing decorating scheme. When made of ceramic, plastic, or metal the container is especially sanitary, because these materials are non-porous and inert and thus, remain clean longer, are easier to clean, and remain free of mold and mildew.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to storage containers,and, more particularly, to storage containers for a plurality of items,such as rolled paper, and a mold for making said storage containers.

[0005] The background information from patents discussed below ispresented to better illustrate the novelty of the present invention.This background information is not admitted prior art.

[0006] In addition to a master bathroom, even modestly sized homes todayhave what are referred to as “half-baths” that are usually small, withlittle or no storage space. Storage closets, in which the toilet paperand/or paper towels are kept for use in these half-baths, are usuallylocated outside of the bathroom. Guest facilities, often located nearthe front entrance to the home, proximate to the entertaining areas, arealso, generally, small rooms, and thus, have no place to store extrarolls of toilet paper. It is embarrassing for both the guest and thehost when the guest is forced to “call out” for an additional roll oftoilet paper. Even if one is alone, it is a considerable inconveniencewhen the “paper runs out” and there is no extra roll within reach.

[0007] In larger sized homes, often housing large families, the cabinetunder the bathroom sink is often too small to serve as storage space forextra rolls of toilet paper and often there a call, to whomever is near,for an extra roll of paper.

[0008] The bathrooms in most hotels and motels are small and have nostorage facilities. Public type facilities such as office buildings,educational institutions, and the like may, or may not, have largerbathrooms, but in many cases, there is no storage place for extra rollsof toilet paper. In these cases, toilet paper is often stored outside ofthe bathroom where it is not available for immediate use, when the needarises.

[0009] A similarly inconvenient, though not as embarrassing situationexists, when one runs out of towel, paper or cloth, that is for dryingone's hands after using the bathroom. These problems have been addressedin several inventive ways.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,354 (Powaska) issued Nov. 15, 1997 describesa storage container for rolls of toilet tissue. This container, whilecertainly useful, is designed to be wall-mounted. In small bathrooms,wall space is usually at a premium, but even if there is some wallspace, mounting the container means putting holes into the wall. Thecontainer, as long it is positioned on the wall, will hide the damagemade to the wall, but if one wants to change the mounting location, theoriginal holes will present a blemish on the wall and additional nail orscrew holes must be made. And, if one decides to cease using thecontainer, unsightly holes remain in the wall. Moreover, the Powaskainvention is meant to function not only as a storage unit in thebathroom, but as a package for sale and for shipment of the rollstherein. Thus, it is designed to be a disposable container. Disposalitems have been identified as adding to already burdensome wasteproblems and costs. The fact that the container is used as packaging forshipping and sales means that only limited decorative features can beincorporated into this design.

[0011] Ramirez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,078 issued Apr. 22, 1980, sets fortha similar type of wall-mounted toilet tissue storage container withsimilar disadvantages. This unit eliminates the need for the creation ofscrew or nail holes in the wall. Instead, however, it requires the useof two squares of double-coated urethane foam tape to attach the unit tothe wall. Once applied, this type of tape is difficult if not impossibleto remove without causing some damage to the wall or the wall covering.

[0012] A dispenser for toilet paper rolls is taught in U.S. Pat. No.6,422,503 (Hoo Kong) issued Jul. 23, 2002. The toilet paper dispensertaught by Hoo Kong is free standing and also serves to store severalrolls of toilet paper. This invention, however, must be placed in arm'sreach of the toilet in order to be useful. The fact is, however, themajority of homes, apartments, hotels, motels, offices, and other placeswhere bathrooms are located, are built with toilet paper dispensersprovided in the bathrooms. Thus, having an additional, and rather large,toilet paper dispenser in the same area is redundant and a poor use oflimited space. Moreover, the combination container, as taught by HooKong, has parts that move relative to one another (a spring, annulardisk, and aperture shaft). These parts are apt to rust and malfunctiondue to the humid conditions found in bathrooms, and the additional partsadd to the cost of manufacture.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,958 (Poole), issued Dec. 11, 1979, alsodiscloses a freestanding toilet paper dispenser/storage unit, whichsuffers from the same limitations as the Hoo Kong unit. In addition, theunit requires the manual removal of a roll of toilet paper from thestorage section in order to place the roll into the dispenser section.To accomplish this, the cap of the dispensing section must be removed inorder to discard the paper core before lifting the platform (whichsupports the paper to be dispensed) to retrieve a spare roll of paperfrom the cylinder. A person with large hands would find it difficult toreach the bottom roll without having to tip the entire unit over.Furthermore, there is no way to know when the storage unit needs to berefilled without opening the entire unit.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,984 (Day), issued Jun. 9, 1998, teaches aholder for a single roll of paper towel. Conceivably this holder couldbe used for toilet paper, but would hold only a single roll.

[0015] Design Pat. No. 376,284 (Keeley) issued Dec. 10, 1996 illustratesa container for storing multiple rolls of toilet paper. This containerappears to have a base, but no cover so that the rolls of toilet paperremaining in the container are exposed to the moisture and dust found inthe immediate environment. The paper rolls appear to fit snugly in thecontainer requiring that a person have small, flexible fingers to removea roll of paper, or that the entire container be turned over to have one(or more) of the stored rolls fall out of the container.

[0016] For the foregoing reasons, it is readily understood that there isa unmet need for a free-standing, decorative, storage container to holdmultiple rolls of toilet, or other rolled paper, in proximate reach ofthe facility, wherein the number of paper rolls remaining in thecontainer can be readily ascertained so the container can be refilled ina timely manner saving from embarrassment the party who discovers toolate that the dispensing supply is exhausted, and wherein a new roll canbe readily and easily retrieved from the storage unit for immediate use.

[0017] One of the goals of today's interior decorators is to createharmony in our home spaces. Thus, the ease with which a storagecontainer can be adapted to fit into any decorating scheme makes itespecially useful. Equally welcome would be a rolled paper storagecontainer that can easily be made in a variety of shapes and sizes toaccommodate both small and large sized families and bathrooms of smalland large dimensions.

SUMMARY

[0018] Therefore it is a main object of the invention to provide for afreestanding storage container to hold multiple rolls of toilet or otherrolled paper.

[0019] A further main object is to provide for an adaptable, useful,attractive storage container for multiple rolls of toilet or otherrolled paper that can be kept in the bathroom proximately in reach ofthe existing paper dispenser.

[0020] A yet further main object of this invention is to provide for afreestanding storage container having a cover to conceal the contentsfrom view.

[0021] Another main object of this invention is to provide for afreestanding storage container having an aperture in the body of thecontainer of sufficient length so that the number of paper rollsremaining in the storage unit can be easily ascertained.

[0022] Yet another main object of this invention is to provide for afreestanding storage container wherein a roll of paper can be readilyand easily removed from the storage unit.

[0023] An additional main object of this invention is to provide for afreestanding storage container that will eliminate embarrassingsituations occurring when the paper dispenser is empty.

[0024] Yet, still another main object of this invention is to providefor a freestanding storage container that can be inexpensivelymass-produced from a variety of materials.

[0025] A yet still further main object of this invention is to providefor a freestanding storage container that can be decorated to match anyexisting bathroom decorating scheme.

[0026] One more main object of this invention is to provide for afreestanding storage container that can easily be made in a variety ofshapes to better fit into particular spaces, such as corners.

[0027] Another additional main object of this invention is to providefor a freestanding storage container that can be manufactured in avariety of sizes to hold from two to more than four rolls of toiletpaper or to hold extra rolls of paper towel or to hold stacks of foldedpaper or cloth towelettes.

[0028] Another additional main object of this invention is to providefor a mold used to manufacture the storage container.

[0029] Yet another additional main object of this invention is toprovide for a freestanding storage container that is sanitary, easy toclean, and remains free of mold and mildew.

[0030] In carrying out the above objects, and other objects, the presentinvention provides for a freestanding, decorative, rolled paper storagecontainer comprising a hollow, elongate body portion defined by aperipheral wall, a weighted base portion at a bottom end thereof, and anopen top end; a removable cover portion at the open top end of the bodyportion of the storage container; and with the peripheral wall having anaperture through which the number of toilet tissue rolls stored withincan be seen and grasped; where the storage container is adapted forstanding upright on a weighted base portion and holding a plurality ofpaper rolls stacked one on top of the other; and where the removablecover conceals the stored paper from a person's view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order that these and other objects, features, and advantagesof the present invention, may be more fully comprehended, the inventionwill now be described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of storage containerwith cover.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the storage container as shown inFIG. 1 with cover and aperture.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container as shown inFIG. 1 showing the top end and rear side of the container and four rollsof toilet paper revealed by the aperture.

[0035]FIGS. 4a and 4 b are perspective views showing the front and backhalves, respectively, of one embodiment of a mold used for shaping aversion of the storage container of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating two halves of a moldfitted together to receive the molding material.

[0037]FIGS. 6a and 6 b are perspective views showing the front and backhalves, respectively, of one embodiment of a mold used for shaping thecover of the storage container of the present invention.

[0038] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily toscale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention or which render other detailsdifficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, ofcourse, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein, but encompasses many embodiments as are discussedthroughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the following detailed description and in the several figuresof the drawings, like elements are identified with like referencenumerals.

[0040] Definitions

[0041] “Front side” of the storage container (see FIG. 1) is defined asthat side of the storage container that does not include the aperture20.

[0042] “Rear side” of the storage container (see FIG. 2) is defined asthe side of the container having an elongate aperture 20.

[0043] “Aperture” is defined as an opening through which at least a partof all of the contents, such as toilet paper rolls, paper towels, orfolded towelettes in the container can be seen.

[0044] Description of Elements

[0045] One preferred embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.1 showing a view of a “front side” (“front side” is defined above) ofthe freestanding toilet paper storage container 10. It can be seen thatin this embodiment storage container 10 comprises a hollow, elongate,cylindrical body having peripheral wall 12 and base 14, and removablecover 18 where the cover may comprise a knob or some other type ofhandle. Removable cover 18 is shaped to fit snuggly on the containerbody. There are many ways that the cover can be connected to thecontainer, such as, mating, threading, and snap fit devices, which areall contemplated in various embodiments of this invention. The hollow,ceramic, cylindrical body, i.e., wall and base, is formed as a one piecemolded unit using a version of the body mold (described below) of thisinvention. Base 14 is made to be heavier than the peripheral wall 12 toprovide stability to the container. Cover 18 is formed as a one piecemolded unit using a version of the mold (described below) of the covermold of this invention.

[0046]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a rear side (“rear side” is definedabove) of toilet paper storage container 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Aperture20 (“aperture” is defined above) is of sufficient length to ascertainhow many rolls of rolled paper remain in storage container 10 and ofsufficient width to allow for easy grasping and removal of the rolls ofpaper in the storage container. In the example illustrated, four rollsof toilet paper can be seen in the container 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d.

[0047]FIG. 3 shows an angled perspective view of the back side ofhollow, cylindrical body 12 having cover 18 removed so that the top oftoilet paper roll 30 a can be seen through top end 16. FIG. 3 emphasizesthe fact that aperture 20 is of sufficient length so that at least apart of each of the rolls of paper stored in the storage container canbe readily seen allowing one to know when the container needs refilling.Similarly, it is clear from FIG. 3 that aperture 20 is of sufficientwidth to allow each of the stored rolls of toilet paper to be easilygrasped and thus, easily removed.

[0048]FIG. 4a illustrates one half of the mold 40 that is used to cast(i.e., result in forming) the front side of the version of the storagecontainer illustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, this part of the mold isreferred to as the “front” half of the mold.

[0049]FIG. 4b illustrates the other half of the mold 50 that will beused to cast the back side of the embodiment of the storage containerillustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, this part of the mold is referred toas the “back” half of the mold.

[0050] Additionally, FIG. 4b illustrates “alignment keys” 50 a, 50 b, 50c, and 50 d and FIG. 4a illustrates “holes” 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, and 42 d.When the front half 40 of the mold is aligned with the back half 50 ofthe mold, an internal cavity is formed from the “mating” of cavity 48 inthe front half of the mold and cavity 58 in the back half of the mold.By fitting alignment keys 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d into theirrespective holes 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, and 42 d, proper alignment of themold halves is assured.

[0051] Raised portion 54, as illustrated in FIG. 4b, ensures theformation of aperture 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,

[0052]FIG. 5 illustrates the two mold halves 40 and 50, as shown inFIGS. 4a and 4 b, respectively, fitted together to form shaping mold 55to receive the slip (the clay/water mixture) through pore hole opening59 to form ceramic toilet paper storage container 10.

[0053]FIGS. 6a and 6 b illustrate the top half 62 and bottom half 64,respectively, of the mold used for shaping the cover 18 of the storagecontainer 10 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As in the moldhalves for shaping the storage container body, these mold halves 62 and64, each have alignment holes FIG. 6a, 66 a-66 d and alignment keys FIG.6b, 68 a-68 d.

[0054] Description of How to Make

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-3, thestorage container is made from clay and fired to become a ceramic piece.Generally, before the final firing the piece is coated with a glaze thatfires to a hard, protective coating at the same time the unfired claypiece is fired. The glaze can be of any color and texture. The glaze isusually chosen to compliment a general, or specific, decorating scheme.If desired, the unfired piece can be used in ceramic studios as startingpieces for ceramic decorating classes.

[0056] The storage container, as envisioned by this invention, can bemass-produced at low cost, using the technique commonly referred to inthe industry as slip casting. Those skilled in the art, however, willrealize that many other methods of production using clay as a startingmaterial are available. Two such methods are hand building and using thewheel. These alternative methods would likely be used when smallerquantities of the storage containers are desired, such as in the makingof custom designed pieces.

[0057] Although many clay shaping techniques are well-known to those ofordinary skill in the art, the slip casting method is preferred becauseit is the least expensive and, thus, is the most used when making largequantities of copies of the same design.

[0058] The slip method uses a fluid clay/water mix of low viscosity. Theclay is usually a mixture of various well-known materials that impartspecific properties to the unfired and fired product. The specificformula used to prepare the clay mixture may vary within wide limits. Itis within the skill and knowledge of the present art to select theproper composition in accordance with the desired characteristics.

[0059]FIGS. 4a and 4 b illustrate the two cavities 48 and 58,respectively, that make up the storage container shaping cavity when thefront half 40 and the back half 50 of the mold are “mated” using thealignment keys and key holes, as described above, to form shaping moldas illustrated in FIG. 5. It should be noted that aperture 20 is formedby the protrusion of raised portion 54 in cavity 58 in back half 50. Theclay/water mixture is poured into the pore hole opening 59.

[0060] When using clay/water slips, the mold is typically made of aporous medium, typically plaster, which adsorbs much of the water fromthe wet slip. The slip remains in the mold until sufficiently dry toallow the firm, but still damp, clay body to be handled. At this time,the mold pieces are removed and the storage container is placed on adrying shelf until the container is sufficiently air-dried. At thisstage, the product is called greenware (unfired clay) and is typicallytrimmed and smoothed to be readied for any decoration that is to beapplied. In addition, at this time, if desired, the piece can also bedesign-carved in some decorative or functional manner. When ready, thepiece is put into a kiln (oven) for a first, relatively low temperature,firing. The manufacturing process is complete when the cooled, partiallyfired body, is glazed and put into the kiln, again, for a final, highertemperature, firing. Glazing products and methods of glazing are alsowell known in the art and do not require any further discussion here.

[0061] Although cover 18 is shaped in its own mold, the body and thecover are fired at the same time to ensure that both experience the samefiring conditions. Different firing conditions can result in differentamounts of shrinkage as the firing drives the final bit of water fromthe clay body resulting in crystallization of the clay body and itsglaze.

[0062] It is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe storage container can be made using other materials. For instance,the container can be molded out of any plastic, or plastic-like,material. It can be shaped out of metal and can be made out of wood.

[0063] In the preferred embodiment, discussed above, it is contemplatedthat the storage container is made from clay, which results in an opaquebody. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the peripheral walland/or the cover can be made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0064] As will also be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art, the storage container can be shaped and sized as desired.

[0065] Description of How to Use

[0066] A preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is sized toaccommodate four rolls of toilet paper, as it is usual to fine toiletpaper sold in four roll packages. It would be obvious to one skilled inthe art to size the body of the storage container so that more or lessthan four rolls could be accommodated. Although most brands of toiletpaper are sold in the four roll packages, toilet paper rolls are alsosold as individual units.

[0067] If a household consists of only one or two persons, then it wouldbe reasonable for the household to purchase only two rolls per shoppingtrip, whereas for a large family, it would be reasonable to purchasefive or more rolls per shopping trip. Thus, the storage container couldbe made having varying heights to accommodate differing numbers of rollsof toilet paper.

[0068] For example, if the container was to be used to store toiletpaper rolls for a family of one, it could be made shorter, to hold onlythe two extra rolls purchased. Conversely, for a large family, thecontainer body could be made longer, to hold the five, or more, rolls oftoilet tissue purchased.

[0069] If the storage container is used as a toilet paper storagecontainer in a small bathroom, with little extra space to place thecontainer, the container's shape could make the it easier to fit thecontainer into the design of the room. The container, for example, couldbe shaped so that the cross-section of the body of the container defineda triangle, to allow the container to fit tightly into a corner of thesmall room.

[0070] If used, for example to hold extra rolls of paper towels, insteadof toilet tissue, the holder could be made of slightly larger dimensionsto fit one or two extra paper towel rolls. If the use of folded paperhand towels, or folded cloth hand towels, was desired, the containercould, but would not necessarily have to, be made of dimensions to fitthe folded towels.

[0071] Several containers, with bodies of various heights and widths,but of the same decoration scheme, could be grouped to form an artfuldesign element in the bathroom.

[0072] One of the most important aspects of the present invention, isthe presence of the aperture (see aperture 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3). Providing for an aperture of sufficient length to assure that atleast a part of each roll of paper in the paper roll storage containercan be seen provides one with the advantage of being able to ascertain“at a glance” if the storage container needs to be refilled. This willprevent any embarrassing incidents when it is realized, perhaps toolate, that the toilet paper dispenser is empty.

[0073] In a similar vein, providing for an aperture of sufficient width,allows a person, even one with relatively large hands, to easily removethe needed roll from the container, even if it is the last roll sittingon the bottom of the container.

[0074] When made of ceramic, metal, or a plastic, such as fiber glass,the freestanding storage container is especially sanitary, because thesemanufacturing materials are non-porous and inert and thus, remain cleanlonger, are easier to clean, and remain free of mold and mildew.

[0075] If desired, matching containers, without covers or apertures,could be provided to be used as vases that “fit” with the chosendecorating scheme. Used with or without its cover, a matching containercould be used as a wastebasket. Thus, several containers, with bodies ofvarious heights and widths, but of the same decoration scheme, could begrouped to form an artful design element in the bathroom. The uses forthe container are limited only by the imagination of the user.

[0076] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, usedspecific and defined nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding ofthe invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat the specific details are not required in order to practice theinvention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments ofthe rolled paper storage container are presented for purposes ofillustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that many changes may be made to the features,embodiments, and methods of making the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to thedescribed methods, embodiments, features or combinations of features butinclude all the variation, methods, modifications, and combinations offeatures within the scope of the appended claims. The invention islimited only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A freestanding, decorative, rolled paper storagecontainer comprising: a hollow body portion defined by a peripheral walland a base portion at a bottom end thereof and an open top end; aremovable cover portion sized and shaped to be mounted on said open topend of said hollow body portion of said storage container; with saidperipheral wall having an aperture through which at least a part of eachof the paper rolls stored within can be seen and easily grasped; whereinsaid storage container is adapted for standing upright on said baseportion and receiving a plurality of paper rolls stacked one on top ofthe other, and wherein said removable cover portion conceals the storedpaper from view.
 2. The storage container as recited in claim 1, whereina cross-section of the hollow, elongate body portion forms an ellipsoid.3. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectionof the hollow, elongated body portion forms a polygon.
 4. The storagecontainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage container isceramic.
 5. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein thestorage container is plastic.
 6. The storage container as recited inclaim 1, wherein the storage container is metal.
 7. The storagecontainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage container is wood8. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the baseprovides the weight needed to provide static stability to the containerand to resist unintentional tipping of the container.
 9. The storagecontainer as recited in claim 8, wherein the base includes added weightsto provide static stability to the container and to resist unintentionaltipping of the container.
 10. The storage container as recited in claim8, wherein the base is made thick enough relative to the peripheral wallto provide static stability to the container and to resist unintentionaltipping of the container.
 11. A forming mold for forming a freestandingrolled paper storage container: a. which storage container comprises: ahollow elongate body portion defined by a peripheral wall, a baseportion at a bottom end thereof, and an open top end; wherein saidstorage container is adapted for standing upright on said base portionand receiving a plurality of paper rolls stacked one on top of theother, with said peripheral wall having an aperture through which atleast a part of each of the paper rolls stored within the container canbe seen and easily grasped for removal from the container; and wherein aremovable cover portion conceals the stored paper from view; and b.which mold comprises a mold body having a cavity with a forming surfaceof desired shape.
 12. A mold for forming a removable cover portion sizedand shaped to be mounted on a storage container: a. wherein said storagecontainer comprises: a hollow, elongate body portion having a peripheralwall and a base portion at a bottom end thereof and an open top end;wherein said storage container is adapted for standing upright on saidbase portion and receiving a plurality of paper rolls stacked one on topof the other; with said peripheral wall having an aperture through whichat least a part of each of the paper rolls stored within the containercan be seen and easily grasped for removal from the container; andwherein said removable cover portion conceals the stored paper fromview. b. which mold comprises a mold body having a cavity with a formingsurface of desired shape.